THE LNP today pledged $55 million to help build the Toowoomba CBD Ring Road and confirm the Second Range Crossing as one of the LNP’s key infrastructure priorities.

LNP Leader Campbell Newman said the LNP would redress Labor’s years of neglect and failure to deliver the infrastructure Toowoomba and the Darling Downs so desperately need.

“An LNP Government will provide up to $45 million, as well as the State Government land, to ensure the CBD Ring Road is delivered,” Mr Newman said.

“The Ring Road will alleviate traffic pressure on the centre of Toowoomba by providing an alternative route for local traffic out of the CBD.”

Mr Newman said the proposed ring road would run through the disused goods yard of the Toowoomba Railway Station, crossing West and East Creeks, linking Russell Street with Chalk Drive.

As part of this project, the LNP will also make up to $5 million available to replace the West Creek Railway Bridge to deliver much-needed flood mitigation.

“More than 6000 trucks travel down Toowoomba’s main streets every day because of State Labor’s failure to secure Federal funding for a second range crossing,” Mr Newman said.

“The Western Freight Corridor, which includes the Warrego Highway and the Toowoomba Range Crossing, is one of Queensland’s most important links, and is part of the Federal Government’s National Road Network.

“The Second Range Crossing has been promised for decades but never delivered. Labor has failed to secure Federal funds and engagement with the private sector has been without conviction.

“This is another example of the tired, 20-year Labor government sitting on its hands while the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs have suffered.

“The LNP has identified the Western Freight Corridor, including the Second Range Crossing, as one its key infrastructure priorities – we’ll provide $5 million to update the business plan for the Second Range Crossing, to ensure we can attract the funding needed to get this project moving,” Mr Newman said.

“Unlike the tired, 20-year Labor government, the LNP is committed to providing better infrastructure and better planning for Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

“It’s time for change. It’s time to get Queensland back on track.

“But for this to happen there must be a change of government to a strong and united LNP team,” Mr Newman said.